Clothesline clip



Feb. 21., 11939. w. s BENNETT 'CLOTHRSELIL'INE (CINE? Filed May 17, 1958 I N VEN TOR. n l'l/iam 5a'mue/ Jenna/1f Lyme/n 2 (L I/MM ATTORNEY.

Patented Feb. 21, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CLOTHESLINE CLIP William Samuel Bennett, Jersey City, N. J.

Application May 17,

2 Claims.

This invention relates to devices used in connection with domestic laundering and similar operations, and more specifically to means for suspending articles from a stretched horizontal cord during airing, drying and exhibiting the same.

The usual wooden clothespin is prone to split, uncertain in its grip, mars the goods, and in frosty weather frequently freezes fast.

It is therefore one of the purposes of the present invention to produce a suspension clip to clamp the clothes at the edge, hem or fold, whereby they are safely and securely held, combined with means to engage a cord or line with an unfailing grip.

A further feature is in the provision of a clothesline clip easy to attach or detach to articles, is not afiected by conditions of temperature or weather, and which is substantially unbreakable.

Another object is to provide a clip of this character that can be produced at a moderate cost in quantities by modern manufacturing methods.

In addition to the above objects it is a purpose of the invention to provide a clip of this nature whereby it is possible to suspend clothes from a line in such manner as to avoid having the clothes come in contact with the line.

These and analogous objects are attained by the novel construction and arrangement of integral elements hereinafter described and shown in the annexed drawing constituting an essential part of this disclosure, and in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of one form of the invention complete and ready for use.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the same, as in closed condition, the axial connecting pin being omitted.

Figure 3 is a similar view of the same, the clamp jaws open and illustrating the manner of its application.

Figure l is a view similar to Figure 1 but presenting a modified construction, showing it as attached to a line.

Figure 5 is a side view of the same.

Figure 6 is a side view of one of the clip elements in detail.

Figure 7 is a similar view of the mating element.

As shown in the several views the clip consists of two independent strands of wire, generally designated by A and B, the former shaped at one end to produce an open hook l5 suited to snugly engage a line C in its bight and outturned at its terminal IE to aid in passing over the line.

The strand continuing from the hook is bowed of lesser width than the corresponding loop ele- 1938, Serial No. 208,467

slightly outward, as at H, and firmly intertwined with the opposite end 3 of the same strand.

Below the point thus formed both parts of the strand are bent laterally outward at opposite angles Is and thence extend in parallel down- 5 wardly, as at 2!], to be curled forming coils 2| extending laterally on the side below the hook, I5, the inner ends of the coils continued to produce angular members 22, crossing each other midway in their lengths, and blending into parallel ele- 10 ments 23 connected by a transverse member 24, constituting a substantially rectangular flat loop.

The other strand B has one end bent horizontally to form a detent 25 disposed within the hook IE to maintain it in position on the line C, 15 and intertwined with the detent stem 26, as at 21, is the opposite end 28 of the strand.

Below this connection both parts of the strand are extended angularly, as at 29, thence in parallel, as at 33, to the convolutions of coils 3| directed in a manner to engage intermediate the coils 2|.

The inner ends of the coils 3| are extended at divergent angles, as at 32, crossing one another, these members including outstanding humps 33, eventually continuing to present inreaching members 34 leading to parallel sides 35 connected by a transverse member 36. l

A pin 38 passes through the coils 2 |-3| having heads 39 at each end by which it is retained in position against the outer coils 2|.

It is to be noted that the coils 2| and 3| are wound in opposite direction, that is, the coils 2| are right hand helices and the coils 3| are left hand helices; this construction is important, as it is impossible for the coils to become interlocked when the clip is open or closed; it is also noted that the elements 29-36 are narrower than the. elements |920 so as to move freely within.

Also, and more particularly, the loops composed of elements 32--34-35 of strand B are ments 22--23 of the strand A, but the bar 36 coincides with the bar 24, forming a secure clamp for articles disposed therebetween.

Referring to the modification seen in Figures 4 to 7, the convolutions of the springs and all parts thereabove are identical with those hereinbefore described and the members below the springs vary only in minor detail.

Strand A, while extending perpendicularly be- 50 low the springs, is shaped to present re-entrant curves 40, contacting at their proximate surfaces, and thence blend by double curves 4| into loop sides 42 connected at their extremities by cross members 43. 55

Similarly the strand B, below the spring, presents inreaching curves leading to right angle elements 46, passing through the interior of the loop 42-43 and thence formed into loop sides 41, wider at their lower ends which are connected by a cross member 48, equivalent in length with the corresponding member 43, and forming with it a clamping means for articles disposed therebetween.

Obviously upon applying pressure on the humps 33, as indicated in Figure 3, or on the elements 45 in the last described structure, the clamp jaws or loops will be pressed apart for the insertion of flat articles, as indicated in Figures 4 and 5, and that upon releasing the pressure, the springs 2l-3| cause an effective clamping action of the loops or jaws, while the detent 25 secures the hook upon a line.

Although the foregoing is descriptive of the best known embodiments of the device, it will be apparent that other modifications may be resorted to without the exercise of invention, in view of the disclosure herein made.

Having thus described the invention and set forth the nature of its construction and 'operation, what is claimed as new and sought to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A clothesline clip comprising a pair of spring wire strands, one strand having a single open hook engageable over a line, its opposite end confined to the strand adjacent the hook, both strands curled midway their lengths into spaced alined horizontal helices their inner terminals continued to form a fiat substantially rectangular loop, the second strand having a detent bar movable below the clothesline, its opposite end coiled around the strand adjacent the detent, both strands coiling spirally, the coils alined with and engaged between the coils of the first named coils, a loop extending from the terminals of the last named coils corresponding to and movable through the first named loop, said loops to act as clamps in engaging articles to be suspended from the clothesline, and a double headed pin confining all of said coils in registration.

2. A clothesline clip comprising a pair of spring wires, one wire having an open hook at one end engageable over a line, means for preventing accidental displacement of said hook, said means consisting of a detent releasably held against the line, a hump formed on the wire for manually releasing the detent, both wires coiled midway their lengths into spaced alined horizontal helices, means preventing interlocking of the helices, said means consisting of the outside coils in right and left hand direction, and the inside coils in left and right direction, fiat substantially rectangular loops between the coils of each pair of wires, said loops to act as clamps in engaging articles to be suspended from the line, each pair of wires extending in parallel and secured by twisting one to the other below the helices, and 0 a pin passing through all of the helices.

WILLIAM SAMUEL BENNETT. 

